This blog will list news about all aspects of scorpion biology and important taxonomical updates from The scorpion Files. The Scorpion Files is a leading information source about scorpions, and has among others an updated list of all extant families, genera and species.(C) Jan Ove Rein and The Scorpion Files.

25 February, 2011

Kraepelinia palpator (Birula, 1903) (Buthidae) is a special and very rare species from Iran. Lourenco & Leguin have now published a paper with scanning electron microscope pictures showing new morphological details on the female of this special scorpion.

Wilson Lourenco and co-workers have discovered a new species of Broteochactas Pocock, 1893 (Chactidae) from Brazil:

Broteochactas cauaburi Lourenco, Araujo & Franklin, 2010

Also, the male of Hadrurochactas polisi (Monod & Lourenco, 2001) is described for the first time.

Abstract:Amazonian scorpions belonging to the family Chactidae Pocock, 1893 are studied. The male of Hadrurochactas polisi (Monod & Lourenço, 2001) is recorded for the first time and a short diagnosis is proposed. A new species is described, Broteochactas cauaburi sp. n., based on a female specimen collected in the upper Rio Negro region in Brazil.

In addition, Centruroides granosus (Thorell, 1876) from Panama is restored to species status.

The paper has an identification key for Centruroides in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.

Abstract:A new species of the buthid genus Centruroides Marx, 1890 is described from northeastern Guatemala and northwestem Honduras, Central America. lt resembles C. margaritatus (Gervals, 1841), but differs from it by having attenuated pedipalpal chelae and telson, the subaculear tubercle situated in a different position, almost bare pedipalps, having chelae with the dorsal intemal carina moderately granulose. It is suggested that some previous records of C. margaritatus might be misidentifications. A key is provided for the identification of the eight species ot this genus known from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. Also, the Panamanian Centruroldes granosus (Thorell, 1876), comb. nov., is restored as a valid species.

Abstract:Two new species of the genus Ananteris Thorell have been discovered in Brazil. Ananteris roraima sp. n. is described from 6 males and 11 females collected in the region of ‘Ilha de Maraca’, State of Roraima, and Ananteris madeirensis sp. n. from one male callected in the state of Amazonas, Brazil. The number of Ananteris species described from the Amazon region of Brazil is raised to nine, although the region of Roraima is principally covered by savannah-like formations. The number of Ananteris species present in the scorpion fauna of Brazil is now raised to 19.

Reference:Lourenco WR, duhem B. Further considerations on the genus Ananteris Thorell, 1891 (Scorpiones, Buthidae) in Brazilian Amazonia and description of two new species. Boletin de la SEA. 2010(47):33-8.

04 February, 2011

Ozkan, Ahmet & Zafer have published a paper studying the genetic diversity of Androctonus crassicauda (Olivier, 1807) from Turkey.

Even though they did not find any morphological differences between the animals studied, the studied specimens did divide into two different genetic groups. Even though this didn't lead to any taxonomic conclusions, intraspecific genetic diversity like this might lead to diversity in venom content (and ultimately to differences in symptoms from scorpions sting from the same species).

Abstract:Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has been widely employed in phylogeographic and phylogenetic studies. In the present study, the genetic identification of the scorpion Androctonus crassicauda (Olivier, 1807) was carried out by using the 16S mitochondrial gene, since this scorpion represents the most important species in Turkey regarding scorpionism and antivenom production. Two genetic groups were found according to the sequence analysis results, while five different loci at the nucleotide level presented genetic variation in the 16S region when compared to a known A. crassicauda sequence data (GenBank, AJ277598). Nucleotide variations found in the current work constitute the first descriptive report for A. crassicauda. Moreover, future studies may enlighten the genetic and venom composition variations for this scorpion species.

03 February, 2011

Michael Soleglad and co-workers have recently published a paper discussing the taxonomy and phylogeny of the Hadrurus "spadix" subgroup (Caraboctonidae). A new species from parts of USA and Mexico is also described:

Hadrurus anzaborrego Soleglad, Fet & Lowe, 2011

Data suggest that Hadrurus obscurus is only a color variant of H. spadix, but more investigations are necessary before a formal deccission can be made.

The paper has an identification key for both Hadrurus and Hoffmannihadurus.

Abstract:In this study new data are presented on the “spadix” subgroup of genus Hadrurus, including the description of a new species, H. anzaborrego, sp. nov., found primarily in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (ABDSP) in southern California, USA. This species is distinguished by its internal trichobothrial pattern of the chela and its unique carapace pattern. The status of Hadrurus obscurus Williams, 1970 is discussed and new locality data for this species are provided. A phylogenetic key to the genera, species, and subspecies of subfamily Hadrurinae is provided.

Reference:Soleglad ME, Fet V, Lowe G. Contributions to scorpion systematics. IV. Observations on the Hadrurus "spadix" subgroup with a description of a new species (Scorpiones: Caraboctonidae). Euscorpius. 2011(112):1-36. [Free fulltext, but large file (17 mb). The paper divided into smaller files is available on the publishers website)]Family Caraboctonidae

02 February, 2011

Richard Ayrey has recently described a new Serradigitus Stahnke, 1974 (Vaejovidae) from southern Arizona (USA):

Serradigitus miscionei Ayrey, 2011

Abstract:A new scorpion species, Serradigitus miscionei, is described, placed in the genus Serradigitus Stahnke, 1974. These are small reddish-brown scorpions found on vertical surfaces, in the San Pedro River system and other river systems in southern, Arizona.

01 February, 2011

Wilson Lourenco and co-workers have described a new species of Chaerilus Simon, 1877 (Chaerilidae) from the Andaman Islands (India) in the Indian Ocean:

Chaerilus andamanensis Lourenco, Duhem & Leguin, 2011

Abstract:A new species is described belonging to the genus Chaerilus Simon, 1877. Chaerilus andamanensis sp. n. was discovered in the Island of Little Andaman in the Indian Ocean. The new species shows affinities with Chaerilus variegatus Simon, 1877 and Chaerilus borneensis Simon, 1880, respectively described from Java and Borneo. This s the first record of the genus Chaerilus in the Andaman Islands.